Southside Shopping District - Fall 2017

At first glance, there appears to be significant vacancy in the historically heavily tenanted Southside Shopping District, an area just outside downtown bounded by Tamiami Trail, Hyde Park Street, Orange Avenue and Waldemere Street. But as is often the case with commercial real estate, first glances can be deceiving and often require greater scrutiny if one is to ascertain the truth. In the near future, a new art gallery is expected to take down the largest single vacancy in the district, with a 3,000-square-foot lease. Meanwhile, the remaining three or perhaps four storefronts along Hillview Street and Osprey Avenue that are presently unoccupied are relatively small or in more marginal locations. They also are not representative of the unique shopping district as a whole, which is anchored by long-time specialty grocer Morton’s Market, Asian fusion restaurant Pacific Rim and Gecko’s Bar and Grill.